I spent the day at Freelance Camp PRO at NextSpace in San Francisco yesterday. It’s 24 hours later and I still have the buzz.
For those that don’t know:
Freelance Camp is a place to discuss and explore the different approaches to running a successful freelance business / service company. We have based our events on the Barcamp format, which is a network of user generated participatory events whose content is fully provided by the participants. Anyone with something to contribute or with the desire to learn is welcome and invited to join.
Was it worth the time? Yes. Why?
- It felt like an historic event — first <something> at NextSpace SF — and we were there!
- I enjoyed getting to know my NextSpace Santa Cruz comrades more than I already did, in a relaxed atmosphere, both in the carpool and in the camp. During a typical workday, I’m usually rushing or optimizing or focused. It was fun to be at this event without my laptop (I left that at home on purpose) and without my work so I could focus on people, topics, and reflect on work, not do work.
- I enjoyed that there were two kinds of people in the room: those I recognized and those I didn’t. I felt like I belonged — to my Santa Cruz NextSpace tribe, that is, those I recognized. Thanks for being there Eric, Jorie, Mike, Iris, Jermy (new name from Mike), other Sara, Shane, Peter, Chris, Chris, Vania, Pat, Paul, and others. I’m forgetting some names.
- It was great to meet the BarCamp newbies and see their eyes light up seeing the whole camp in process. These were strangers from SF and I recalled how pivotal the first Freelance Camp in Santa Cruz was for our community. Actually, that was historic.
- It was interesting to hear about other freelancers’ struggles and successes, tips and hints, wisdom. I’m sure I learned something, or several things, but mostly I felt inspired and grateful and entertained.
- Great freebies. That’s S.W.A.G. Not, Schwag.
- Yummy lunch in the restaurant downstairs.
Looking forward to Freelance Camp Santa Cruz on October 2, 2010!
Sara Isenberg
Sara Isenberg
Sara Isenberg
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Thanks for writing about your experience – your enthusiasm is contagious. I can feel it here in Bismarck, North Dakota!
Hey Sara,
Great post. The camp was awesome and thanks again for the ride. I also wrote a short article about what I took away from the camp: http://cosmicdesignco.com/freelance-camp-san-francisco-post-camp-thoughts/
Can’t wait for the next one in Santa Cruz. Talk to you soon!
Eric,
Your blog post is excellent. I look forward to seeing the new Freelance Camp website!
Sara
Karen,
Save Oct 2 for Freelance Camp in Santa Cruz! I know you’ll love it.
Sara
Here’s Peter Chester’s cute — yes, cute — video of Freelance Camp PRO in SF:
http://life.shaneandpeter.com/freelance-camp-pro-2010-san-francisco/
Thank you for the post Sara and nice meeting you. It was great that so many people from the Santa Cruz NextSpace were able to attend and tell us all about NextSpace. I’m definitely seriously considering joining. Freelance Camp was very inspiring. I attended a few sessions with Shane and really appreciated how much he shared with all of us.
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